Steve's iPhone Mea Culpa

While he admits "the technology road is bumpy" he goes on to state, " we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers."

That said, iPhone early adopters will now recieve a $100 store credit for use in the Apple retail store and Apple online store. Apple is working out the logistics of the offer, so keep your eye on Apple's site.

Comments

Nathan

January 13, 2008 at 8:00pm

I'm so happy to hear someone who was happy about this. So many of these people bashing Apple for dropping prices...how ridiculous is that?

1. You knew how much the thing cost when you bought it and you chose to buy it anyway.
2. You got to be that guy who everyone was like "Whoa...is that an iPhone?"
3. Can you name another company would would give you $100 back? Most would just leave you be.

Anonymous

September 12, 2007 at 11:36am

When I first heard that the price had dropped so much so quickly, I was upset. I just missed the time for the full $200 rebate. I looked over what had happened, and realized I'd be happy with just a symbolic gift from Apple -- I suggested a one-year extended warranty (which Apple sells for $69). So when they offered a $100 credit at the Apple store, I was more than satisfied.

Anonymous

September 06, 2007 at 8:06pm

Why do faithful customers get $100 store credit but new customers who weren't even going to purchase the phone but for the price drop, they get a $200 up front mark down. Doesn't seem fair to me.

Anonymous

September 08, 2007 at 1:18pm

I agree with you. I question the same thing. For Apple to do this with a continuing product (8GB iPhone), the price drop was a sting to those who purchased it earlier.

Anonymous

September 08, 2007 at 1:20pm

Why not a $200.00 credit instead, Mr. Jobs?

Dennis L Boatman

September 06, 2007 at 7:21pm

Dear Mr. Jobs:

What? You announced what? Did I hear this right? Apple is dropping the price of an 8Gb iPhone by $200?

I'm ... stunned ... and so very, very disappointed. I understand and appreciate that manufacturers and retailers adjust prices all of the time. And I certainly applaud any action that Apple takes to strengthen its position in the market place. But a 1/3 cut in the iPhone price only 60 days after it's release - and with sales at or ahead of target expectations?

Why do I feel like I've been stiffed?

This year marks my 25th year of using Apple products. I started using an Apple II+ in 1982. Over the years, I've purchased an Apple IIe, an Apple IIGS, a Mac G3 B/W, an iMac (the version prior to those just released), and an 8Gb iPhone. My sons have Apple iBooks; and collectively we've purchased 6 iPods of various versions. I've been waiting anxiously for the iPhone's release since it was first announced back in January. I knew that it would be a technological milestone - as has so many of Apple's other products - and it certainly is. I wasn't expecting perfection, but I think my 8Gb iPhone is pretty darn close. And I don't spend a lot of time worring about what it doesn't do - it works just fine for me.

Over the years, the one thing that I've learned to value about Apple was the relationship that exists between itself and its customers. If nothing else, battling the PC wars has at least brought us "MacAddicts" all together. We knew what we had, and we really didn't care too much if others hadn't "taken a bite out of the Apple." Apple products have always been ahead of the pack technologically and your customer support and service have always been the example for others to follow.

In your open letter to iPhone customers, you wrote "... that the technological road is always bumpy. There is always change and improvement ..." You are correct. And, yes, someone will always " ... miss the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever." BUT, what technological improvements or changes to the hardware or operating system or whatever in the iPhone lead to the price drop? NONE! Yet today's iPhone is $200 less that what I paid on June 29th. Be honest with us. Call the price drop what it really is: a plain and simple marketing strategy and nothing more.

I'm not complaining so much about the price drop; it's your prerogative to charge what you want. What disappoints me the most is a violation of the trust that exists between Apple and its customers. A trust that developed over the years through shared experiences in our close-knit Apple community. I never thought I would see what I've just witnessed. This price drop was not a sudden decision; things like this are not spur of the moment. This has been in the works since before the June 29th release of the iPhone - Apple just chose to not tell anyone - and that's what disappoints me. Apple appears to be adopting the attitudes toward its customers that is so prevalent with your competitor headquartered in Redmond, Washington. It really is all about the Benjamins! I guess I took it for granted that there would always be greater differences between Apple and M$. But now ...

A belated $100 of Apple store credits doesn't remove much of the bad taste in my mouth. And it's certainly not the way I wanted to commemorate my Silver Anniversary as an Apple user.

A loyal - but bruised - Apple devotee.

Frank O'Mahony

September 06, 2007 at 2:39pm

Wow. It shows the power of the pen (or, digit, or whatever). Apple saw the backlash among those of us who actually put our money where their hype was, and made this gracious gesture. Good for them.